The meeting was convened at 2:05 PM by Allan Falconer

1. Minutes

The minutes of December 7, 2006 were approved.

2. Election of Additional Senators to the Faculty Senate:

As a result of the email announcement, the following nominations were received: Suzanne Slayden, Iosif Vaisman, Zafer Boybeyi, Larry Rockwood

No additional nominations were submitted. An email ballot will be sent to COS faculty which they are to print out, put in a sealed envelope, and send to Barbara Cohen for vote tallying.

3 Committee Reports

a. Curriculum

• Newly ratified appointments to the committee are Barry Haack (GEOG) and David Singman (MATH). At large positions have not expired.
• Committee reports are posted at cos.gmu.edu/_curric
• The committee met 8 times during the AY and will meet a final 9th time before the end of the semester. The committee covered 161 items of business, including proposals for new courses, modifications to existing courses, certificates and degree programs.

b. Grievance

• No committee changes to report.
• For the AY, one grievance reported on May 9, 2007; no action taken as of yet.

c. Promotion and Tenure

• Newly ratified appointments to the committee are Nigel Waters (GEOG) and Pat Gilbert (ESP)
• In the absence of the committee chair, Allan Falconer reported that a set of comments from this committee was given to the Chairs.

d. Executive Council

• Newly ratified appointments to the committee are Liping Di (ESGS) and Bob Ehrlich (Physics) to replace two expiring appointments.
• The committee held 3 meetings this year. See motions submitted at this meeting pertaining to this committee.

e. Nominating Committee

• Sheryl Beach reported that the following have agreed to nomination for this committee: Doug Mose, Menas Kafatos, Chris Jones and Dimitri Klimov. Nominations remain open and names should be submitted to Sheryl Beach, for consideration at the next COS Faculty meeting.

4 Motions by the Executive Council

(attached to these minutes), reported by Bob Ehrich

1. The motion was read and clarified that the 80% majority referred to those members in attendance. Motion approved with one abstention.
2. The motion was read and clarified that it referred to the COS Standing Rules, not the Bylaws. The motion was approved as clarified with one abstention.
3. The motion was read and discussion held. Motion amended to include concentrations and certificate programs (in addition to degree programs). Motion as amended unanimously approved.
4. Round table discussion was held. Two amendments were made:
   
   1. Second page of this motion to be separated and contained as guidance from the Council to the Dean’s Office, with the request that the information appear on the COS website.
   2. In (a) paragraph 2, allow candidate’s Department Chair and others qualified to speak about the candidate to provide clarification.
5. Due to the amount of discussion, and the consensus that this motion would benefit more than those faculty in attendance, it was agreed that this motion, as amended, would be circulated among the faculty for comment and feedback prior to the first COS Faculty meeting of AY2007-2008.

5. Other items as submitted

Faculty Senate report—Promotion and Tenure to develop procedures for candidates hired out of regular hiring cycle.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:05 PM.